To transfer files back then you had one of two options: 1) Transfer it to floppy or 2) email it to yourself. Floppies were just too slow, flimsy, and unreliable. Emailing was an option, but only if you were connected to one of the network ports, which were scarce, and even then you were limited to a maximum amount of attachments.
Unlike most people, I have a multitude of computers, and internet technologies have made completing and keeping track of documents a lot easier. Boy things have changed! I watched as more power outlets were added in school to accommodate laptops, the adaptation of wifi access for students, and decline of the digital mediums. I have gone from using floppies, to emailing, from CDRs, to USB thumb drives. And now, thumb drives are no longer necessary to transfer your files from computer to computer, because Google provides an All-In-One solution for simple word processing(wp), spreadsheet(spr), and presentation(pres) needs, for FREE! Google Docs
Google Docs is not for everyone! Below I will discuss Google Docs, Microsoft Office, & Open Office and who it's perfect for.
Google Docs
Who should use it: Students and People who need something simple, flexible, and free. People with a GMail account.
Why:
- Ability to edit and save documents online. No more forgetting your important papers anywhere you go!
- No need for a physical digital storage medium to transfer from computer to computer.
- Ability to share your documents (i.e. note, papers, etc) with classmates easily (if they have a gmail account)
- Other examples.
Microsoft Office
Who should use it: Business Professionals, Business Students, or individuals who demand more features out of their WP, SPR, & PRES needs. Individuals who mostly use their computer offline (if this is you, c'mon! Get with the times! Although Google Docs does have an offline feature). Individuals who need to have a name brand software and are willing to pay for it. Students who are required to use it in school.
Who else/why?
- if you need more features than those provided by Google Docs.
- if you need Word to make your resume look better using templates. Although, if you need a template for your resume, you might reconsider working on improving the content of your resume first.
- if you're a student who really needs it visit The Ultimate Steal.
Open Office
Who should use it: People who need something as powerful as Microsoft Office, but hate Microsoft or are cheap. Individuals who mostly use their computer offline and are cheap.
Who else/why/other?
- If you need the features of Microsoft Office and aren't willing to pay for it.
- If you have the time and patience to re-learn the layout of your WP, SPR, PRES software. (It has a very easy learning curve and should be an easy transition).
- Tip: Make your Open Office save the default documents in MS Office software format.
Now that you have the facts, I'll let you decide. You should find not only what is best for your needs, but also, what fits your values. And if you have none, then download MS Office illegally, haha.
I like to think of Google Docs as Ralph Nader (Independent), Microsoft Office as John McCain (Republican), and OpenOffice as Barrack Obama (Socialist, I mean Democratic).
